Rutter Canyon fire remains uncontained

The Rutter Canyon fire north of Spokane still was considered zero percent contained Wednesday evening but has not spread since late Tuesday, said Department of Natural Resources spokesman Guy Gifford.

“Things went well today,” he said. “The fire stayed within the perimeter.”

The fire started in the area of East Country Hills Lane north of Indian Trail on Tuesday afternoon and spread rapidly in a box canyon with limited access that hindered early firefighting efforts. A determined effort by tanker planes dropping water and fire retardant helped bring the fire in check as it burned to the southwest.

The fire has burned roughly 150 acres of state and county parkland as well as some private property, Gifford said. It is bordered on one side by the charred area left from the Little Spokane Fire several weeks ago. Twenty to 30 homes remained under level two evacuations, which means people should be prepared to leave if necessary.

Several new brush fires were reported in Spokane County on Wednesday, including a 6-acre fire off Depot Springs Road east of Cheney, but firefighters were able to get them under control and keep them from spreading.